The New Mexico Public Education Department spoke with the press about the state’s modified reentry plan to get students and staff safely back into schools in a July 24 meeting.

Cabinet Secretary Ryan Stewart represented the department, presented updates to the state’s plan, and answered questions from the audience.

The first announcement was that the start of in-person learning at state schools was being moved back until after Labor Day.

“First and foremost, we are going to prioritize the health and safety of students, staff and communities,” Stewart said. “We want to put as much distance between the recent surge of virus cases and our students coming back.”

Stewart said...

‘The Great Grass Race’ picks up steam in New Mexico

It is roughly 2,450 miles from Los Angeles to New York City. This trip can be as short as a few hours by plane to several days by car.

But a ride-on lawnmower? That trip is now looking like several weeks or months.

That long trip is the basis for “The Great Grass Race,” an online series where five teams of two people each will race across the country in these lumbering vehicles.

“They get no gas, no food, and no shelter from the show,” Jon Sadler, of Menace Vision, the network that hosts the show said. “They have to drive across the country [at about 5 mph] and they have to rely on strangers for things like buying...

Artist Coye Balok creating art out of a pastime

Gallup is a haven for artists of different genres and these artists possess talents that capture one’s eye. Such is the case with artist Coye Balok, whose talent is taking leather and turning it into beautiful works, calling his artwork Kestrel Leather.

The 45-year-old Gallupian takes pieces of leather and sews them together to make purses, wallets, and other items. It’s a part-time hobby that sometimes stretches into a full-time occupation. His journey began in August of 2018, when friend, Tressa Weidenarr, showed him pictures of items that others made with pieces of leather. Balok wanted to try his hand at it.

“My friend...